Mehrdad Khezri1, Mostafa Shokoohi1,2, Mohammad Karamouzian1,3, Ali Mirzazadeh1,4, Nima Ghalekhani1, Zahra Gholamypour5, Azam Valipour6, Ali Akbar Haghdoost7, Hamid Sharifi1. 1. HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Future Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 2. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. 5. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Centre for Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran. 7. Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Induced abortion is an occupational hazard for female sex workers (FSWs). This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with induced abortion among FSWs in Iran. METHODS: 1337 FSWs aged ≥18 years who reported selling sex to more than one male client in the past 12 months were recruited in 13 major cities in Iran between January and August 2015. Bivariable and multivariable modified Poisson regression models were constructed to examine the correlates of induced abortion. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. RESULTS: Lifetime induced abortion was reported by 621 of 1335 participants (46.5%; 95% CI 43.8, 49.2). Older age (APR for ≥ 35 vs. < 25 years, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.07), having ever been married (APR 1.58; 95% CI 1.05, 2.39), having ever worked in a brothel (APR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02, 1.38) and a lifetime history of being raped (APR 1.19; 95% CI 1.03, 1.38) were significantly associated with lifetime induced abortion (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of induced abortion among FSWs in Iran is concerning. Evidence-informed programmes targeting FSWs in Iran would improve their knowledge and encourage contraceptive use as well as promote pregnancy prevention and post-abortion care.
OBJECTIVES: Induced abortion is an occupational hazard for female sex workers (FSWs). This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with induced abortion among FSWs in Iran. METHODS: 1337 FSWs aged ≥18 years who reported selling sex to more than one male client in the past 12 months were recruited in 13 major cities in Iran between January and August 2015. Bivariable and multivariable modified Poisson regression models were constructed to examine the correlates of induced abortion. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. RESULTS: Lifetime induced abortion was reported by 621 of 1335 participants (46.5%; 95% CI 43.8, 49.2). Older age (APR for ≥ 35 vs. < 25 years, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.07), having ever been married (APR 1.58; 95% CI 1.05, 2.39), having ever worked in a brothel (APR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02, 1.38) and a lifetime history of being raped (APR 1.19; 95% CI 1.03, 1.38) were significantly associated with lifetime induced abortion (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of induced abortion among FSWs in Iran is concerning. Evidence-informed programmes targeting FSWs in Iran would improve their knowledge and encourage contraceptive use as well as promote pregnancy prevention and post-abortion care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Female sex workers; Iran; induced abortion; reproductive health; survey